The Many Faces of Abuse
An often overlooked form of abuse is emotional abuse. Whether at home, in the workplace or in a relationship, emotional abuse is extremely detrimental to one’s self-esteem. Beverly Engel, M.F.C.C. writes of 10 forms of emotional abuse in her book: The Emotionally Abused Woman. Do any of these sound familiar?
** DOMINATION: the need to be in charge
** VERBAL ASSAULTS: berate, belittle, criticize, name call, blame
** ABUSIVE EXPECTATIONS: unreasonable demands, constantly selfish
** EMOTIONAL BLACKMAIL: coercion via fear, guilt or compassion
** UNPREDICTABLE RESPONSES: drastic mood swings and sudden outbursts
** CONSTANT CRITICISM: unrelentingly critical, always finds fault
** CHARACTER ASSASSINATION: humiliates, criticizes, discounts
** GASLIGHTING: insidious acts to make you doubt self or reality
** CONSTANT CHAOS: continual upheaval and discord
** SEXUAL HARASSMENT: unwelcome physical or verbal sexual advance
If you find yourself in an emotionally abusive relationship the first step is to admit it. This may sound easy but is frequently the most difficult. Then seek support in family, friends, support groups or a therapist. With support you can make a plan and end the abuse. As I saw on a poster recently: A bend in the road is not the end of the road…unless you fail to make the turn. Today—turn the corner to health, esteem and serenity.
** DOMINATION: the need to be in charge
** VERBAL ASSAULTS: berate, belittle, criticize, name call, blame
** ABUSIVE EXPECTATIONS: unreasonable demands, constantly selfish
** EMOTIONAL BLACKMAIL: coercion via fear, guilt or compassion
** UNPREDICTABLE RESPONSES: drastic mood swings and sudden outbursts
** CONSTANT CRITICISM: unrelentingly critical, always finds fault
** CHARACTER ASSASSINATION: humiliates, criticizes, discounts
** GASLIGHTING: insidious acts to make you doubt self or reality
** CONSTANT CHAOS: continual upheaval and discord
** SEXUAL HARASSMENT: unwelcome physical or verbal sexual advance
If you find yourself in an emotionally abusive relationship the first step is to admit it. This may sound easy but is frequently the most difficult. Then seek support in family, friends, support groups or a therapist. With support you can make a plan and end the abuse. As I saw on a poster recently: A bend in the road is not the end of the road…unless you fail to make the turn. Today—turn the corner to health, esteem and serenity.